Poultry certified wholesome during August 2010 (ready-to-cook weight) totalled 3.73 billion pounds, up six per cent from the amount certified in August 2009. The July 2010 revised certified total at 3.58 billion pounds, was down two per cent from July 2009. The July revision represented an increase of 32.1 million pounds from last month's preliminary pounds certified.

The preliminary total live weight of poultry inspected during August 2010 was 4.96 billion pounds, up six percent from 4.70 billion pounds a year ago. Young chickens inspected totalled 4.27 billion pounds, up six per cent from August 2009. Mature chickens, at 75.1 million pounds, were up six per cent from the previous year. Turkey inspections totalled 603 million pounds, up four per cent from a year ago. Ducks totalled 14.0 million pounds, up 13 per cent from last year.

Young chickens slaughtered during August 2010 averaged 5.57 pounds per bird, up slightly from August 2009. The average live weight of mature chickens was 5.91 pounds per bird, up two per cent from a year ago. Turkeys slaughtered during August 2010 averaged 28.0 pounds per bird, down one per cent from August 2009.

Ante-mortem condemnations during August 2010 totalled 14.2 million pounds. Condemnations were 0.29 per cent of the live weight inspected, as compared with 0.26 per cent a year earlier. Post-mortem condemnations, at 34.0 million pounds, were 0.90 per cent of quantities inspected, as compared with 0.97 percent a year earlier.

August 2010 contained 22 weekdays and four Saturdays, while August 2009 had 21 weekdays and five Saturdays.

Further Reading

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